Martin Lee News

Musical Theatre West has announced that it will open its 59th Season with the mega-hit HAIRSPRAY at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced a two-week extension for the spectacular show running next door in its Roda Theatre.

After the success of our inaugural awards last year, in which Parade and August Osage County won bit, nominations for the 2011 BWW: Los Angeles Awards are now open!

Tuneful and breezy with an avalanche of exuberant dancing could not better describe the family-oriented Seven Brides for Seven Brothers currently receiving a fast paced, energetic production at Glendale Centre Theatre under the expertise of Robert Marra and Lee Martino. From MGM in 1954 the film starred Howard Keel and Jane Powell and because of their beauty and director Michael Kidd's rip-roaring choreography, the movie, an Oscar nominee for Best Picture, was and still remains blockbuster entertainment. When the film became a Broadway show in the 1982, despite great work from Debby Boone and others, it failed to garner the audiences necessary to keep it afloat. Now after some 30 years, as long as we keep it in period piece perspective, Glendale's production of Brothers seems as good a choice as any for families as holidays approach.

Musical Theatre West is proud to announce that it will open its 59th Season with the mega-hit HAIRSPRAY at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. HAIRSPRAY previews October 28 and runs for fourteen performances through November 13, 2011

The critically acclaimed Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT), now in its 64th year as the longest, continually-operating theatre in the United States, continues its 2011 season with an exuberant and rambunctious production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS September 29 through November 19.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are thrilled to present the second show of their 2011-2012 season with the LADCC, GARLAND and LA WEEKLY award-winning musical for Best Production, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes), with musical direction by Michael Paternostro, choreography by Lee Martino and featuring the original cast who performed in both the Hudson Theatre and Laguna Playhouse productions! LIFE COULD BE A DREAM will open on Friday, October 28, 2011 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 29) and run through Sunday, November 20, 2011 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Nominees for the 2011 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced on the evening of Monday, September 19 at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank; the complete list of nominees is as follows.

The critically acclaimed Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT), now in its 64th year as the longest, continually-operating theatre in the United States, continues its 2011 season with an exuberant and rambunctious production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS September 29 through November 19.

In September, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre kicks off its new season with the world premiere of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup, a captivating new show created specifically for this outstanding actress. Written by Artistic Director Tony Taccone, developed by Rita Moreno and Tony Taccone, and staged by David Galligan, this spectacular production starts previews in the Roda Theatre on September 2, opens September 7, and runs through October 30.

Berkeley Rep (Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison Street @ Shattuck) will present Tony Taccone's RITA MORENO: LIFE WITHOUT MAKEUP, starring Rita Moreno with Ray Garcia and Salvatore Vassallo. The production features direction by David Galligan and choreography by Lee Martino and will run through October 30, 2011.

In September, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre kicks off its new season with the world premiere of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup, a captivating new show created specifically for this outstanding actress. Written by Artistic Director Tony Taccone, developed by Rita Moreno and Tony Taccone, and staged by David Galligan, this spectacular production starts previews in the Roda Theatre on September 2, opens September 7, and runs through October 30.

Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup will make its world premiere at the Berkeley Repertory Theater on September 7th, marking a return to the stage for the legendary actress. BroadwayWorld's Linda Hodges had the chance to speak with Rita Moreno about her long career, the difficulties she's faced as a Latina from Puerto Rico and, of course, her brand new show!

In September, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre kicks off its new season with the world premiere of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup, a captivating new show created specifically for this outstanding actress. Written by Artistic Director Tony Taccone, developed by Rita Moreno and Tony Taccone, and staged by David Galligan, this spectacular production starts previews in the Roda Theatre on September 2, opens September 7, and runs through October 30.

In September, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre kicks off its new season with the world premiere of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup, a captivating new show created specifically for this outstanding actress.

The stage version of 101 DALMATIANS differs greatly from the original 1961 Disney film classic, but the changes are smart ones that focus our attention more on the evil villain of the piece, Cruella De Vil, rather than on a lengthy, suspense filled chase through snowy woods and icy ponds, which really wouldn't translate well to the stage anyway. Instead we're left with a brisk piece of family-friendly entertainment that's not only delightful, but never dull in the least. Stages St. Louis is presenting a wonderfully realized production of this material that features a terrific cast singing and barking their hearts out.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are thrilled to announce their 2011- 2012 season of shows! For the first time ever, the company will offer its subscribers and audiences four weeks of performances this season (an additional week has been added to each run!) - with six must-see theatrical events: From hilarious Broadway comedies such as The 39 Steps and Noises Off; to unforgettable musical theatre events such as Miss Saigon and Cathy Rigby returning as Peter Pan - throw in some doo-wop ‘50s classics with the multi-award-winning Life Could Be A Dream and a spectacular evening with Debby Boone reminiscing about her mother-in-law Rosemary Clooney, and you have a season filled with spectacle and excitement. You won't want to miss any of what promises to be our best season ever! So extraordinary, three weeks were just not enough!

THE BARN PLAYERS 2012 SEASON

Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate is a delightful musical romp that can be seen again and again. It's timeless and an overblown, yet joyous account of two egotistical actors, once married to each other, who adore one another but just cannot be around each other very long without catastrophic, calamitous results. It's also a play within a play, as Lilli Vanessi (Lesli Margherita) and Fred Graham (Tom Hewitt) are on tour essaying Katharine and Petruchio in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Above all, the silly contrived story is overshadowed by Cole Porter's divine score with some of the most glorious tunes ever composed. Kiss Me Kate is a showcase to Porter's genius. Reprise Theatre's current revival is devastatingly hilarious with top-notch direction from Michael Michetti and a magnificent cast.

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of Performing Arts MainStage Kids presents Disney's '101 Dalmatians: Junior Edition.' The production will take place on Friday, May 13 at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 14 at 2pm at Long Lots School, 13 Hyde Lane in Westport, CT. Tickets are $12-$18, and reservations are suggested. For tickets, call Music Theatre of Connecticut at 203.454.3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com.